London Paddington station was designed by Brunel and opened in 1854 and I decided to hop on the Great Western Railway train direct to Bristol and find out more.
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Once on board, I settled back in my comfortable seat, whilst observing social distancing and wearing my face mask. Cocooned in the comfort and style of a first-class carriage and soothed by the clickety-clack of the track, I admired the charming and tranquil views of the English countryside from the windows and my journey was a real treat.
I disembarked at Bristol Temple Meads railway station; the oldest covered railway terminus in the world, which opened in 1878 and was also designed by Brunel. Outside, I boarded a local bus, bound for the Premier Suites Bristol Cabot Circus, which is l ocated on Quaker’s Friars, in the centre of the city.
Premier Suites Bristol Cabot Circus offers modern serviced apartments, which are ideal for families as each one or two bedroom apartments measures either 45 or 60 square metres. Features include an open plan lounge with a pair of plump comfy sofas and a flat screen television, a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen and separate utility area. My airy apartment featured two bedrooms and two spacious bathrooms (one ensuite), one with a shower and the other with a bath and over-head shower and each with a generous selection of Paul Costelloe toiletries.
My ultra-comfortable double bed, swathed in crisp, white linens, resulted in a long leisurely lie-in and after a hearty home-cooked English breakfast I hopped on a local bus headed for the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Brunel’s first project at the age of only 23. The construction lasted for 33 years and the bridge opened in 1864, alas, it was five years after Brunel passed away. Traversing the Avon Gorge and the River Avon the bridge is Grade I listed and is among Bristol’s top tourist attractions. With a length of 412 metres and a width of 9.45 metres it is simply magnificent.
After admiring the splendid, panoramic views from the bridge and my head still in the clouds I took another local bus and made my way to view yet another masterpiece designed by Brunel.
The sight of the SS Great Britain at the Great Western Dockyard is glorious. Launched in 1843, with Prince Albert in attendance, the SS Great Britain was the longest purpose-built passenger ship in the world combining an iron hull with screw propulsion. At 98 metres in length, a beam of 15.39 metres, a draught of 4.88 metres and a speed of 10 to 11 knots, the SS Great Britain was the talk of the nation. The three decks provided accommodation for 360 passengers and 120 crew members and featured a sumptuous saloon, ladies boudoirs, a dining saloon and a steward’s galley.
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